Exploring Chenonceau

Château
des Dames as recorded in the French history books, Chenonceau owes a
large part of its charm to women: it was built in 1513 by Katherine
Briçonnet, then made even more attractive by Diane de Poitiers and
Catherine de Médicis, and saved from the rigours of the French
Revolution by Mrs Dupin. Chemin des Dames, literally, the "Ladies'
Way", acquired the name in the 18th century, as it was the route taken
by the two daughters of Louis XV, Adélaïde and Victoire, who were known
as Ladies of France.At the time it was scarcely a carriage road but it
was the most direct route between Paris and the Château de La Bove,
near Bouconville-Vauclair, on the far side of the Ailette. The château
belonged to Françoise de Châlus, former mistress of Louis XV, Countess
of Narbonne-Lara and former lady of honour to Adélaïde, whom the two
ladies visited frequently. To make the way easier, the count had the
road surfaced and it gained its new name.